Progressive Democrat Issue 112: NEW JERSEY FOCUS

While the Bush administration ignores global warming in a horribly stupid act of denial, some states are taking the initiative. California, New York, Iowa and several others are taking real steps to face up to global warming. New Jersey may be next in line.

This comes from New Jersey Assemblywoman Linda Stender:

Assembly Panel Advances Stender's Global Warming Response Act

Legislation sponsored by Assemblywoman Linda Stender that would direct the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to develop a greenhouse gas emissions monitoring and reduction program was released by the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste committee last week by a vote of 7 to 0.

In light of the mounting scientific evidence that global warming not only is real, but is accelerating, we need to ramp up all efforts to curtail rising levels of carbon dioxide and other dangerous greenhouse gases in the state. We have reached a critical junction regarding global warming. We must take immediate action to protect public health and our environment. If we continue to drag our feet and do nothing, future generations will pay the untimate price for our failure to act now.

A-3301, the "Global Warming Response Act," will make a significant impact globally. Consider the fact that if New Jersey were an individual nation, we would rank 23rd in the world for greenhouse gas emissions if it were its own nation. Our efforts to reduce global warming now will leave a healtier world for future generations.

The legislation would direct the DEP to conduct an emissions inventory during the first year A-3301 becomes law, By the end of the second year, DEP must adopt a greenhouse gas emission monitoring and reduction program to stabilize New Jersey's greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020.

If enacted, New Jersey could become the second state in the country to require by law significant reductions in the levels of greenhouse gasses produced by human activities, commerce, transportation, and industries like power plants and oil refineries. Only one other state, California, signed similar legislation into law in September 2006.

The measure now heads to the Assembly Speaker, who decides if and when to post it for a floor vote.

Contact the NJ media and your state reps to give your opinion.

And for those who want to do yet more about global warming, Linda Stender has a great invitation for anyone who wants to go from New Jersey to Washington, D.C. to rally in front of the United States Capitol for action on Global Warming. Here's her invitation:

Please join me on Tuesday, March 20th as I bring New Jersey's effort to combat Global Warming to Washington!

I invite you to ride along with me on a bus to Washington, DC where I will be joining the thousands of concerned citizens from around the nation for a rally at the United States Capitol. Your voice will add strength to our message-Global Warming is Real and the Time to Act is Now!

I am proud to be the leader of New Jersey's effort to combat Global Warming by sponsoring "The Global Warming Response Act." This legislation will make New Jersey one of the first states in the nation to establish mandatory reductions on green house gas emissions. I am equally proud to have the opportunity to address the crowd in Washington to tell them about our efforts.

After the rally, you will be provided with a unique opportunity to meet with your Representative in Congress. This is our chance to make sure reversing climate change with a responsible energy agenda is at the top of their To-Do list.

New Jersey has set an example for the nation to follow. Please join me on the 20th and lend your support to this most important cause.

WHEN: March 20, 2007, the bus to Washington will be leaving from the Short Hills Mall at 6 am. The rally begins at 11 am and ends at 1 pm. You will then have the opportunity to meet with your Congressman and then depart from DC around 4 pm.

WHO: Anyone interested in Marching on Washington to tackle Global Warming head on! Bring your family, friends, and colleagues along! Lunch will be provided to anyone joining us for the ride.

To reserve a seat for you and your guest, PLEASE RSVP to Heather at 732-340-1005 or LindaStender@gmail.com no later than March 16th!

We have a tremendous opportunity to lobby Congress for cleaner, smarter energy standards today! We cannot afford to let the clock tick and longer. I look forward to seeing you there!

I hope some of my New Jersey readers can join her.


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